COM-B Model-based Behavioral Intervention on Safe Pesticide Use and Food Safety Practice Among Farmers
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorBahir Dar University
About this trial
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a COM-B-based behavioral intervention to improve safe pesticide use and food safety practices among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, using a cluster-randomized controlled trial design. A cluster-randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the North Mecha and Fogera districts. A total of 22 clusters (kebeles) will be randomly selected and allocated to intervention or control arms.
Approximately 572 eligible farmers will be enrolled. The intervention will last 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up (total 16 weeks).
Study Design: Interventional, Randomized, Parallel Assignment, Single-blind (assessor)
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Farmers actively engaged in crop or produce farming intended for human consumption
Individuals regularly involved in agricultural activities, including pesticide handling or application
Household heads, primary farm operators, or household members responsible for managing agricultural activities
Individuals who have resided in the study area (North Mecha or Fogera districts) for at least six months or one farming season
Disqualifiers
Individuals not involved in crop production for human consumption
Farmers without an operational role in agricultural activities
Individuals not regularly engaged in farming activities or without experience in pesticide handling or application
Residents who have lived in the selected Kebele for less than six months
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
COM-B-Based Behavioral Intervention
BehavioralA structured COM-B-based behavioral intervention follows up to 16 weeks, including education, skills training, practical demonstrations, environmental support, and motivational strategies to improve safe pesticide use and food safety practices among farmers, including follow-up visits for reinforcement
Active Comparator: Routine agricultural extension services
Other interventionParticipants will receive routine agricultural extension services and follow-up for 16 weeks
Treatment groups
572 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: COM-B Behavioral Intervention GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Routine agricultural extension servicesActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Safe pesticide use
Safe pesticide use practices will be assessed using a 31-item structured questionnaire measuring adherence to recommended pesticide handling and application practices, including use of labeled pesticides, compliance with dosage and timing instructions, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe storage, proper disposal of pesticide containers, and avoidance of pesticide application under unsafe weather conditions. Each item will be scored as 1 (practice followed) or 0 (not followed), and summed to generate a composite score ranging from 0 to 31, with higher scores indicating better adherence to safe pesticide practices.
Time frame
Participants will be assessed at baseline (prior to intervention) and followed for a total of 16 weeks, including a 12-week intervention period and an 4-week post-intervention follow-up.Secondary outcomes
1
Food safety practice
Food safety practices will be assessed using a 19-item structured questionnaire measuring adherence to recommended hygienic practices during handling, storage, and transportation of agricultural produce. The assessment includes hand and face washing before handling produce, use of clean equipment and storage facilities, separation of pesticides from food, hygienic harvesting and transportation, and adherence to pre-harvest intervals. Each item will be scored as 1 (practice followed) or 0 (not followed), and summed to generate a composite score ranging from 0 to 19, with higher scores indicating better food safety practices.
Time frame
Participants will be assessed at baseline (prior to intervention) and followed for a total of 16 weeks, including a 12-week intervention period and an 4-week post-intervention follow-up.Locations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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